Biological mechanisms behind worsening brain decline after older adults’ mild brain injury
Official title: Biological Mechanisms Underlying Progressive Decline Following Geriatric Traumatic Brain Injury
Funded at Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11450413 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at why some older adults experience dementia-like decline after a mild traumatic brain injury and how it links to Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $690,732 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS147038-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450413 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults who have recently experienced a geriatric mild traumatic brain injury and are willing to participate in follow-up blood tests and imaging.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without progression to dementia or those unable to complete follow-up imaging may experience limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will follow older adults with mild brain injuries over time, using blood tests and advanced brain imaging to identify biological factors that drive worsening cognitive problems. The study collects blood samples within 48 hours, then again at 3–10 days and around 4 months after injury, alongside detailed imaging to map brain and blood vessel changes. The goal is to find mechanisms that could be targeted to prevent or slow progression to dementia in people who have had a geriatric TBI. This aligns with a precision-medicine approach to reduce the burden of AD/ADRD in older adults who have suffered head injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to earlier detection of those at risk and inform strategies to prevent or slow dementia after geriatric head injury.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has suggested links between brain injury and later cognitive decline, but this study aims to illuminate specific vascular and molecular pathways.
Where this research is happening
-
Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mayer, Andrew Robert — Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Mayer, Andrew Robert
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.